The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the billions of physical devices around the world that are now connected to the internet, collecting and sharing data. IoT devices include everything from smartphones and wearables to appliances and industrial equipment. While IoT has the potential to improve efficiency and convenience in many areas, it also introduces new cyber security risks. As more sensitive data is collected by IoT devices and transmitted over networks, the potential attack surface for hackers expands.
Some key questions about the intersection of IoT and cyber security include:
How does IoT create new cyber security risks?
IoT devices collect large amounts of data, often including sensitive information. This data is transmitted over networks and stored in the cloud, creating multiple avenues for hackers to gain access. Many IoT devices also have vulnerabilities that can be exploited. They often lack proper security features and protocols implemented during manufacturing.
What steps can be taken to secure IoT devices and networks?
Security should be a priority starting from device design and manufacturing. IoT devices should incorporate encryption and authentication protocols. Strong password protection and secure boot processes can help prevent unauthorized access. Network segmentation, intrusion detection and regular patch management processes should also be implemented.
How can IoT data be used to improve cybersecurity?
The data collected by IoT devices can provide valuable insights into network traffic patterns and normal vs abnormal behavior. By analyzing this data, security threats and intrusions can be rapidly identified. Machine learning algorithms can be applied to detect anomalies and cyber attacks as they occur.
What role does IoT play in critical infrastructure security?
Many power plants, electrical grids, pipelines and other critical infrastructure now rely on network-connected IoT devices for monitoring and industrial control. This expands the attack surface and consequences of security breaches. Strict controls and oversight are needed to protect critical IoT devices and prevent potentially catastrophic disruptions.
How IoT Creates New Cybersecurity Risks
While IoT connectivity has many benefits, it also introduces an array of new cybersecurity risks across home, enterprise and industrial networks. Some of the key risks include:
More Avenues for Attack
Traditional IT networks already provided ample opportunities for cyber criminals to exploit vulnerabilities and access sensitive data. With IoT, thousands of new devices are now Internet-connected, creating exponentially more access points that hackers can try to breach. Each IoT device also becomes a potential new launchpad for cyber attacks across the network.
Vulnerable Devices and Protocols
IoT devices are often manufactured with security as an afterthought. They lack encryption, have insecure network services enabled by default and use easy-to-crack default passwords. The firmware and software in IoT devices may not support security patches and updates. Even when vulnerabilities are discovered, there may be no way to fix them on fielded devices.
Increased Data Collection and Transmission
IoT devices are constantly collecting sensitive data and transmitting it over local networks or to cloud servers for analysis. This data may include medical information from wearables, geolocation data from mobile devices and surveillance video from security cameras. All of this data in transit creates opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks, data leaks and data modification by hackers.
Lack of Visibility and Control
With so many different devices connecting to the network independently, IT and security teams often lack visibility into what is connecting and what vulnerabilities may be present. The scale of IoT deployments across IT and OT networks makes it hard to maintain control over device security lifecycles and permissions. This leads to gaps that attackers can exploit.
Weak Identity Protocols
Billions of IoT devices lack robust identity and access management protocols required to securely authenticate trusted devices and users on a network. Weak identity controls enable attackers to impersonate legitimate devices and gain network access. They can then leverage this access to collect and exfiltrate data from other nodes on the network.
Securing Consumer IoT Devices
With billions of consumer IoT devices now in homes, improving security is crucial. Here are some steps consumers can take to secure common household IoT devices:
Router and Network Segmentation
Configure your wireless router to use WPA3 encryption. Set up a separate SSID and VLAN for IoT devices to segment them from other trusted devices on the network like computers and phones. Limit communication between VLANs to only necessary ports and protocols.
Strong Passwords
Always change default device passwords to new strong and unique passwords at least 15 characters in length. Avoid common words and phrases. Never share IoT passwords across different devices.
Firmware Updates
Periodically check manufacturer websites for firmware updates that may include important security patches. Only download updates from trusted sources. Before updating, back up device configuration.
Factory Reset When Disposing
Before disposing of an IoT device, perform a factory reset to wipe all data. Also reset wireless credentials so the device cannot connect to your home network if resold.
Disable Unneeded Features
Disable any unused network services and features on IoT devices that could be exploited by attackers, like telnet, FTP and discovery protocols.
Monitor Connected Devices
Use your router interface or network scanning tools like Nmap to monitor devices connecting to your network. Identify any unauthorized or unrecognized devices.
Limit Data Collection
Review privacy options and limit or opt out of data collection when possible. Disable location tracking on devices like smart watches when not needed.
Securing Enterprise IoT
Enterprises face added challenges securing the growing number of connected IoT devices on their networks, including:
Inventory Management
Maintain a comprehensive inventory of all IoT devices deployed across the enterprise. Actively scan and monitor for unknown or rogue devices on the network.
Network Segmentation
Segment IoT devices into their own networks separate from IT infrastructure. Limit lateral communication between IoT and general enterprise networks.
Access Controls
Leverage role-based access controls, ACLs and firewall policies to restrict IoT device communication to only trusted endpoints and protocols.
Encrypted Traffic
Implement encryption across the entire data pipeline. Encrypt network traffic between IoT devices and gateways. Encrypt data in transit between gateways and cloud platforms. Use encrypted databases to store collected data.
Vulnerability Management
Actively scan IoT devices for known vulnerabilities using commercial or open source tools like Nessus. Apply security patches promptly when new vulnerabilities are discovered.
Device Lifecycle Management
Define and implement secure provisioning and decommissioning procedures for IoT devices. Include factory reset at end-of-life before disposal or reuse.
Incident Response Plans
Develop incident response playbooks defining actions to take in the event of a significant IoT security breach. Run response simulations to test effectiveness.
Securing Industrial IoT Infrastructure
Securing network-connected operational technology and industrial control systems requires rigorous measures given the extreme consequences of cyber-physical attacks. Steps to secure critical IoT infrastructure include:
In-Depth Network Segmentation
Divide industrial networks into small zones using VLANs, firewalls and DMZs to isolate critical systems. Restrict OT-IT connections to limited bridge devices. Limit lateral movement between zones.
Unidirectional Gateways
Deploy unidirectional gateways between industrial networks and external connections. This physically enforces one-way communication for data diodes. Prevent unauthorized outbound access.
Monitoring and Visibility
Monitor industrial network traffic using artificial intelligence to quickly detect any anomalies or cyber intrusions. Maintain high visibility across all zones and conduits.
Device Hardening
Harden IoT devices on industrial networks by disabling unused ports and services, implementing access controls and encrypting data. Establish secure device configuration baselines.
Redundancy and Fail Safes
Implement redundancy at the network and device levels. Define fail-safe operational procedures in the event of cyber incidents. Take potentially impacted devices offline rapidly if compromised.
Personnel Security
Establish stringent cyber security screening and training for any personnel granted access to critical infrastructure networks. Limit and monitor privileged access.
Using IoT Data to Improve Cybersecurity
The data generated by enterprise IoT deployments can provide valuable insights for enhancing cybersecurity defenses:
Network Behavior Analysis
IoT platforms contain traffic data from hundreds or thousands of connected devices across the enterprise network. Analyzing this data using machine learning can define normal network behavior profiles. Abnormal deviations from these baselines can then trigger alerts for potential threats.
Early Breach Detection
By analyzing IoT sensor data for anomalies, cyberattacks and intrusions can be detected earlier before more severe consequences. Finding signals of ransomware activity, malware propagation or unauthorized access enables rapid incident response.
Threat Intelligence
Detailed IoT data, including device connection logs and communication patterns between devices, can inform threat models and intelligence used to search for cyber risks. Data will improve visibility into potential lateral movement pathways.
Vulnerability Scanning
IoT platforms can be integrated with vulnerability scanning tools to continuously audit device fleets and identify vulnerable firmware or software. New scans can be triggered automatically when new devices come online.
Access Control Insights
Analyzing authentication patterns and access logs from IoT platforms can help identify unauthorized account usage or escalation of privileges. Multi-factor authentication effectiveness can also be measured.
Compliance and Configuration Auditing
IoT data enables continuous compliance and configuration auditing against security benchmarks. Devices violating standards can automatically be identified and alerts triggered.
IoT Security in Critical Infrastructure
The proliferation of IoT devices in industrial and critical infrastructure sectors like utilities, oil/gas and transportation introduces major cybersecurity challenges:
Legacy Security
Many industrial facilities still rely on legacy Windows systems and unpatched vulnerabilities long addressed in enterprise IT environments. Connecting these fragile systems to IoT sensors multiplies risk.
Safety and Availability Requirements
Unlike enterprise IT systems, safety and availability are paramount in industrial networks. Security controls that cause operational disruption are often not tolerated. This restricts options for patching and hardening.
Difficulty Containing Threats
Once malicious code penetrates an industrial network, disconnecting or isolating infected components is extremely challenging without impacting production. This enables adversaries to persist and laterally expand their access.
Lack of Monitoring
Constant monitoring and visibility across OT networks are still maturing capabilities in many organizations. Without holistic monitoring, anomalous activity and intrusions can evade detection for extended periods.
Resource Constraints
Many critical infrastructure facilities operate with tightly constrained IT/OT budgets and limited cybersecurity expertise and staffing. This impacts their ability to implement and manage complex security controls.
Barriers to Change
Updating hardware, software and security tools involves extensive regression testing and certification requirements to avoid operational disruptions in industrial environments. This slows the adoption of new cyber defenses.
Conclusion
In summary, the rise of the Internet of Things has created an array of new cybersecurity risks across consumer, business and industrial environments. Billions of insecure network-connected devices are now collecting and sharing sensitive data, expanding the attack surface available for threat actors to exploit.
While the benefits of connectivity and data-sharing are immense, security must remain a central focus when designing, deploying and managing IoT ecosystems. Taking a proactive, defense-in-depth approach to IoT security and leveraging machine learning to gain greater visibility of anomalies and threats will help prevent attackers from capitalizing on the expanded infrastructure enabled by the IoT revolution. With vigilant and ongoing security efforts, organizations can take full advantage of IoT capabilities while safeguarding their critical systems and data.